91èÏÈÉú

She just successfully defended the Ph.D. portion of her M.D./Ph.D. double degree program. We talked with her about her experience at the College and how it set her up for success.

What originally drew you to 91èÏÈÉú?

I knew I wanted to end up in a small liberal arts environment and also knew I wanted to study neuroscience, but I had trained as a ballet dancer and wanted to have the flexibility to pursue a multidisciplinary education. I loved that the 91èÏÈÉú curriculum let me combine my interests in a self-directed way.

What did you study?

My academic studies at 91èÏÈÉú centered on molecular neuroscience with a specific interest in pain and pain disorders. Though I came in knowing I wanted to study neuroscience, my interest in pain research developed while I was there. I was also able to continue dancing as part of the Five College Dance Program and even took a year off after my first year at 91èÏÈÉú to move to New York and dance full time. I don’t think any other institution would have supported my unconventional trajectory in the same way.

Were any faculty or staff especially supportive or inspirational?  

I was incredibly fortunate to work with several wonderful faculty members. Associate Professor of Molecular Biology John Castorino, Associate Professor of Physiology Cindy Gill, Associate Professor Emerita of Animal Behavior Sarah Partan, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry Rayane Moreira, and the late Professor of Biology Lynn Miller really helped mold me into the scientist and person I’ve become. I’m incredibly grateful for all of them.

I think having had a more holistic liberal arts education has helped me interact with patients and better appreciate the social determinants that impact their health.

What happened after you graduated?

After my time at 91èÏÈÉú, I spent four years working in a lab at Yale where I had interned for two summers during my undergraduate years and continued to focus on neuropathic pain disorders. In applying to M.D./Ph.D. programs, I knew I wanted to stay in this field, and was accepted to the University of Pittsburgh–Carnegie Mellon University Medical Scientist Training Program, where I was able to do my Ph.D. at the Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research.

My thesis focused on migraine pain and how interactions between sensory neurons and immune cells contribute to migraine pathophysiology and the efficacy of migraine therapeutics.

I think my 91èÏÈÉú education really benefited me in three important ways. First, I felt comfortable working independently and conceptualizing my own research ideas in a way that some of my peers found more challenging. Second, I felt confident in being able to identify a good mentor for my learning style and had a wonderful, supportive experience with my Ph.D. advisor. Finally, as I finish my M.D., I think having had a more holistic liberal arts education has helped me interact with patients and better appreciate the social determinants that impact their health.